Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno (Mainichi)

       TOKYO -- The Japanese government has lodged a complaint with the U.S. military in Japan for letting a member of personnel who tested positive for COVID-19 on entering Japan take a civilian flight to Okinawa Prefecture, the top government spokesperson has announced.

       The man, in his 20s, belongs to the U.S. military in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, and tested positive during quarantine inspection at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture east of Tokyo.

       Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a Nov. 16 morning news conference, "We asked the U.S. military in Japan to ensure thorough border controls and prevent a recurrence." The Okinawa Prefectural Government had earlier complained about the matter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and requested a thorough response.

       Though the individual in question was positive in a PCR test upon arrival at Narita airport on Oct. 30, he was not quarantined. The following day, he took a civilian flight to Okinawa Prefecture. The U.S. military base also tested him positive and reported it to the prefectural government.

       Upon testing positive, U.S. military affiliates are meant to quarantine at military facilities such as the Air Force's Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo. Using public transportation such as private airlines' domestic flights is against military rules.

       In response to the Japanese government's request, the U.S. Forces Japan urged all its personnel to observe thorough infection prevention measures.

       Matsuno also said, "We have been told they intend to respond harshly, including punishing the individual."

       (Japanese original by Shuhei Endo, Political News Department)

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